The paper is discussing the dangerous instability that may occur in the switching controllers' case. This phenomenon cannot be treated by the conventional frequency analysis because of the non-null initial conditions. The qualitative phase trajectory analyze of the difference between the controllers outputs is used instead. The second and the fourth quadrants of the phase plane are recommended for switching, while the first and the third quadrants

The paper is focused on the optimal control of the distance gap between following cars, using TTCDPs (Time to Collision Distance Planners). This planner is designed on the base of the constant time to collision criterion, using a functional computer model of the following car. The TTCDP is compared to the conventional AICC (Autonomous Intelligent Cruise Control) polynomial imposed distance-gap between cars. TTCDP is able to optimize the distance-gap

This paper presents a comparative analysis regarding some adaptive control solutions for the excitation control of a synchronous generator. Two types of adaptive controller are taken into consideration: an adaptive fuzzy controller, respectively an adaptive self-tuning controller. The self-tuning controller is based on a dual action (on control input and also on reference signal). There are used two types of parameters estimators: a recursive least

The paper is proposing a specific indicator, the inverse time to collision TTC-1, useful when analyzing the highway traffic. The advantage of TTC-1 vs. TTC is a direct and continuous dependence with the collision risk. TTC-1 could be used as an input in car following algorithms. Because the automate driving is yet in a research stage, a feasible application for TTC-1 would be rather assisting the driver of the following car at the choice of the distance

The Fuzzy Self Adapted Interpolative Controllers are able to identify on-line and to control a wide range of unknown plants. These controllers are developed by combining fuzzy-interpolative modules (implemented by look-up tables). In order to cope with contradictory strategies demanded by time variable plants, several adaptive correctors, corresponding to different operating regimes can be fusioned or switched. Switching adaptive rule bases can cause

The Fuzzy Self Adapted Interpolative Controllers are able to identify on-line and to control a wide range of unknown plants. These controllers are developed by combining fuzzy-interpolative modules (implemented by look-up tables). In order to cope with contradictory strategies demanded by time variable plants, several adaptive correctors, corresponding to different operating regimes can be fusioned. The paper is investigating the replacement of the

The paper is focused on the planned fuzzy-interpolative controllers. Such controllers are pushing away the main disadvantage of the soft computing approach: the lack of accuracy and of optimizing criteria. The benchmark study is referring to the car following algorithm issue. A new distance gap planner is proposed. The planner is designed on the base of the constant time to collision criterion. The constant time to collision method perform almost

The paper is discussing about the utility of the fuzzy-interpolative methodology in soft computing. The fuzzy-interpolative controllers are fuzzy controllers that may be equalled with linear interpolative networks. They are alloying the advantages of the linguistic representation of knowledge offered by the fuzzy side with the easiness of the interpolative implementations. This methodology is perfectly matching the fuzzy expert systems for their

The paper is discussing the utility of using the phase trajectories of the state variables as observers. The fuzzy-interpolative self adapting controllers are illustrating this methodology in the case of the close loop control. The switching controllers' problem is also investigated by means of the phase trajectory, which is used for the choice of the best switching moments.

The paper presents an imposed distance braking method for urban railway vehicles, free of external devices and maintaining a constant braking effort thanks to a position controller. Its application improves the comfort and the traffic safety and reduces the weariness of the material and the perturbations injected into the electric power network. © 2005 IEEE.